Thousands of people with disabilities or long-term health conditions will receive targeted support to find and stay in secure jobs, thanks to a new £100 million investment announced by the
Department for Work and Pensions on Friday, 11 July.
Key Highlights:
- £103.6 million will be directed to four areas in England: Greater Lancashire, Kent & Medway, Hertfordshire, and Gloucestershire.
- The funding is part of the Connect to Work programme, which aims to help nearly 30,000 people into employment.
- This is part of a broader £3.8 billion employment support package for sick or disabled people announced during this parliament.
What is connect to work?
Connect to Work is a locally delivered support programme designed to help individuals who face significant barriers to employment. It offers:
- One-to-one support from employment specialists
- Personalised work plans based on each participant’s aspirations
- Job matching tailored to individual needs
- In-work support to help participants and employers maintain employment
- Practical support like coaching and skills development
The programme follows proven Supported Employment models and is already active in other regions across England and Wales. So far, over £150 million has been invested, helping more than 41,000 people.
Over the next five years, more than 300,000 individuals are expected to benefit from the programme nationwide.
Regional funding breakdown:
- Greater Lancashire: £38.8 million for 11,000 people
- Kent and Medway: £34 million
- Hertfordshire: £19.7 million
- Gloucestershire: £11.1 million
Minister for Employment, Alison McGovern, said:
“For too long, our country has been held back as towns and cities were left on their own to deal with the consequences of people being out of work. This government is investing to create good jobs, and our plan to Get Britain Working will make sure no one is left on the scrap heap any more.
Changing Jobcentres and providing funding for towns and cities will make sure everyone is included in our economic plan. No more abandoned places.
This latest funding will make a real difference in the lives of people across the country and give them the chance they deserve as part of our Plan for Change”.
During a visit to a Jobcentre in Preston, the Minister met with Julie, a woman who overcame significant mental health challenges to secure a job she loves with the help of local employment programmes.
More support on the way
Earlier this year, further Connect to Work funding was allocated to:
- West London Alliance: £42.8 million for 10,800 people
- East Sussex: £11.1 million for 2,900 people
In addition, 15 regions will receive a share of £1.5 million to pilot the WorkWell Primary Care Innovation Fund, aiming to better integrate health and employment support and reduce GP workload.